Prescription bottle imaging system and method

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to a prescription imaging system for capturing, storing and displaying images of prescription bottles during the prescription fulfillment process to monitor the quality of the fulfillment process. The system includes one or more pill cameras for capturing images of pills dispensed into one or more prescription bottles and one or more label cameras for capturing images of the bottle labels. The images are stored on a storage device in a database record. The images can be used to verify that the pills in each bottle correspond with the associated prescription.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/158,608 filed Jun. 13, 2011 now U.S. Pat. No.8,295,582 issued Oct. 23, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/354,269 filed Jan. 30, 2003 now abandoned; and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/357,580 filed Feb. 17, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No.7,995,831 issued Aug. 9, 2011, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to systems and methods for dispensingprescriptions. More specifically, this invention is directed to aprescription imaging system and method for capturing, storing anddisplaying images of prescription bottles before delivery to customers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various systems have been developed to automatically fill largequantities of prescription bottles for use primarily in mail orderpharmacies. Such systems can significantly reduce the time, expense anderror rate associated with manual prescription dispensing.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,762 to Charhut describes an automatedprescription bottle filling system (sold by Automed Technologies, Inc.,under the trademark OPTIFILL®). The system automatically fills, labels,caps, and sorts prescription bottles in accordance with prescriptionorders stored in a database. Some automated prescription dispensingsystems are pallet-based. Pallets loaded with empty prescription bottlesare transported to dispensers containing various prescription drugswhere each bottle is filled with the prescription corresponding to theprescription information on the bottle label. An example of a pallet orcarrier based system is the AUTOSCRIPT II™ system originallymanufactured by Automated Prescription Systems (now McKesson AutomatedPrescription Systems) in the early 1990s.

Such automated prescription dispensing systems require some manner ofquality control to ensure that the system is functioning properly. Thisquality assurance function is often performed by a pharmacist.Computerized systems have been developed to aid pharmacists in checkingthe accuracy of the prescriptions. For example, Williams, et al., U.S.Pat. No. 5,597,995, discloses a prescription checking work station,which includes a bar code scanner. To check the prescription, thepharmacist first scans a bar code on the bottle label, which retrievesdata regarding the prescription. The retrieved data includes a digitizedimage of the original script and a reference image showing what theprescribed drug should look like. The retrieved information andreference image are displayed on a computer screen. The pharmacistchecks the prescription before it is given to the customer by visuallyinspecting the contents of the bottle to ensure that it is consistentwith the original script and reference image.

Prior systems have also been developed to capture a digital image of thecontents of the prescription bottle. Mail order pharmacies have employedsystems that automatically scan the bar code on the bottle andphotograph the contents of the filled bottle before capping. The pillimage is linked to the a bar code on the bottle and stored in a databaserecord associated with the prescription order. During the qualitycontrol process, the checking pharmacist can scan the bar code on thebottle to retrieve the image of the contents alongside a referenceimage. The image of the contents can then be compared to the referenceimage during the quality control process, without opening the bottle.

Such checking systems have a number of significant shortcomings. Forexample, in order to read the label information and scan the bar code onthe bottle, the checking pharmacist must physically handle the bottle.This physical handling introduces an opportunity for human error. Amajor benefit of automated prescription dispensing systems such as thatdescribed in Charhut is the accuracy of such systems. Generally, theintroduction of human intervention at any step along the fulfillmentprocess increases the error rate. Thus, the increase in human errorrates associated with the physical handling can defeat the purpose ofthe quality control system. Human handling also increases theopportunity for theft or other breaches of security, which is ofparticular concern when filling prescriptions for controlled substances.Furthermore, the pharmacist must be present at the place where thebottles are being filled to physically scan and inspect the bottle. Forthe foregoing reasons, there is a need for a system that allows thepharmacist to check the accuracy of prescriptions being dispensed from aremote location without physically handling the bottles.

The system described herein allows the pharmacist to conduct a qualitycheck without handling prescription bottles or even removing them fromthe automated dispensing system. It enables the pharmacist to verify theaccuracy of a prescription from any location with a computer. It alsoimproves record keeping and allows a pharmacists or customer servicerepresentatives to view the complete bottle while talking to a customeron the telephone. These are among the advantages provided by theinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an imaging system for use in aprescription fulfillment process. The system includes a pill camera forcapturing an image of pills dispensed into a prescription bottle and alabel camera for capturing an image of the bottle label. The pill andlabel images are stored in a record on a storage device in communicationwith the cameras. The images can be used to verify that the pills in thebottle correspond with the prescription.

The system preferably includes a computer. The computer retrieves thelabel image and reads a machine readable code (e.g., a bar code)captured on the label image. The images are associated with theprescription using the code. Alternatively, the system can include a barcode reader for reading the bar code on the label.

The computer can also be programmed to retrieve the label image and pillimage and to display the images on a screen. Label data used to printthe label and/or a reference image associated with the prescribed drugcan also be displayed.

The system can also include a bottle lift and rotate mechanism forlifting and rotating the bottle in front of the label camera so that thelabel camera can capture the image of the label as the bottle rotates.In one embodiment, the lift and rotate mechanism comprises a verticallymovable upper bearing plate having a circular cavity therein forreceiving a neck portion of the bottle. The upper bearing plate can belowered onto the top of the bottle and the bottle neck received into thecavity. A lower lift pusher positioned below the bottle, is raised toengage the bottom of the bottle and lift the bottle in front of thelabel camera such that the bottle is sandwiched between the upper plateand the lower lift pusher. The lower lift pusher can also include arotate mechanism for rotating the pusher after it engages and lifts thebottle such that the bottle is rotated in front of the label camera tofacilitate capture of the label image. Various alternative lift androtate mechanisms can be used.

The lower lift pusher preferably includes an encoder for monitoring therotation of the bottle. A line scan camera can be used to capture thelabel image. The line scan camera takes a plurality of images ofportions of the label as it rotates based upon rotational informationcommunicated by the encoder. The label image is composed from theplurality of images.

In one embodiment, the imaging system is used with a prescriptionfulfillment process performed by an automated prescription dispensingsystem comprising pallets holding prescription bottles in rows andcolumns. This embodiment of the system can simultaneously capture andstore images from an entire row of bottles. The system includes aplurality of pill cameras arranged in a row for capturing an image ofthe pills in a row of bottles before capping. A plurality of label imagecameras are arranged in a row for capturing an image of the labels. Thesystem includes a lift and rotate mechanism having an upper bearingplate and a plurality of lower lift pushers. The upper bearing plate hasa plurality of circular cavities arranged in a row to receive a row ofbottles. The plurality of lower lift pushers are arranged in a row suchthat they can lift a row of bottles out of the pallet and position themto allow the label image cameras to capture images of the labels of therow of bottles. The images are stored on a storage device in a databaserecord for the associated prescription. An indexing mechanism indexesthe pallet forward row by row such that the system can sequentiallycapture the label images of each row of bottles on the pallet.

The invention further provides a method for monitoring a prescriptionfulfillment process. An image is captured of pills dispensed into aprescription bottle. An image of the label is also captured. The twoimages are stored in a record associated with the prescription. Theimages can be retrieved and displayed on a screen along with label data,drug data, and/or a reference image.

The method can also include the step of reading a machine readable code(e.g., a bar code) on the bottle. The captured images are associatedwith the prescription using the machine readable code.

The method can also include the steps of lifting and rotating the bottleto facilitate capture of the image of the bottle label. The speed ofrotation of the bottle is preferably monitored. A plurality of images ofportions of the label are captured as the bottle rotates and the labelimage is composed of the plurality of images.

The method can be performed by an automated dispensing system comprisingpallets holding prescription bottles in rows and columns. In thisembodiment, the step of lifting and rotating the bottle can compriselifting and rotating a row of bottles such that the label images of therow of bottles can be captured. The pallet is indexed forward row by rowso that the label images of all rows of bottles on the pallet can becaptured sequentially.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more fully apparent from the following detaileddescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is schematic illustration of a prescription bottle imagingsystem;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a prescription bottle imaging system;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a prescription bottle imaging system; and

FIG. 4 is an example of a user interface of a quality control program.

For clarity, the drawing figures illustrate the general configuration ofa preferred embodiment of the system. Descriptions and details ofwell-known features are omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring theinvention. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only andshould not be used to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

The invention is directed to a prescription imaging system and methodfor capturing, storing and displaying images of prescription bottlesduring the prescription fulfillment process to monitor the quality ofthe fulfillment process. The system and method are preferablyincorporated into an automated prescription dispensing system. However,the system and method can also be used with manual prescriptiondispensing processes.

As shown schematically in FIG. 1, an imaging system generally comprisesa pill camera 10 a label camera 12 and storage device 14. The pillcamera 10 captures a digital image of the contents of a pill bottle 18.The label camera 12 captures a digital image of the bottle label 16. Thepill image and the label image are stored in a database recordassociated with the prescription on storage device 14.

The various components of the imaging system are controlled by acomputer controller 24, which is in communication with a host computer26. Controller 24 and host computer 26 are also in communication withstorage device 14 and are programmed to store and retrieve data fromstorage device 14. A pharmacist or customer service representative canretrieve prescription data, including the stored images, using a workstation 28 in communication with the host computer 26. Work station 28can be located at the same location as the dispensing system or can beremotely located, communicating with the host computer 26 via a networkconnection such as an intranet or Internet. By retrieving and displayingthe pill image and label image, along with other data associated withthe prescription, the system allows the pharmacist to conduct a qualitycheck without handling the prescription bottles or even removing themfrom the dispensing system.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an embodiment of the system for use with anautomated prescription dispensing system such as the system described inCharhut et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,762, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. The imaging system 1 is preferably positionedon a conveyor lane between the filling station and the capping stationso that images of the filled prescription bottles can be captured beforethe bottles are capped.

The embodiment of the imaging system shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 isconfigured to operate with a pallet-type dispensing system in which thebottles to be filled are loaded onto a pallet 30 in rows and columns.The system can alternatively be configured to accommodate a singlebottle conveyor type system, which does not utilize pallets. In theillustrated embodiment, pallet 30 is configured to accommodate 25bottles in 5 rows, with 5 bottles in each row. The imaging system 1 cancapture images from an entire row of bottles 19 at a time.

Pallet 30 is moved into station by conveyor 33 where the pallet istemporarily stopped by a pneumatic lift mechanism. A programmable driveindexing mechanism 35 moves the pallet forward row by row through theimaging system.

The system 1 includes five pill cameras 10 in a row positioned above thepallet 30. Each pill camera 10 is positioned above a bottle 18 in a rowon pallet 30 so as to capture images of pills dispensed into one of thebottles in the row. The term “pill” is used herein generally to refer toany drug (e.g., pills, capsules, tablets, lozenges, etc.) and the term“bottle” is used to refer generally to any drug container (e.g.,bottles, vials, boxes, etc.). The pill cameras can capture a digitalimage of the contents of each bottle and transmit the image to storagedevice 14 (see FIG. 1). Upper lights 31 illuminate the inside of thebottle.

Five label cameras 12 are positioned in a row so as to capture an imageof the label of each bottle in the row 19. The label cameras 12 arepositioned slightly above the plane of the pallet 30 so as to capturethe images of the labels after the row of bottles has been lifted out ofthe pallet 30. The label cameras 12 are preferably line scan camerascapable of capturing images on cylindrical or other curved containers.

A bottle lift and rotate mechanism lifts and rotates the row of bottles19 to facilitate capture of the label images. In the illustratedembodiment, the lift and rotate mechanism includes an upper bearingplate 32 having a row of five circular cavities therein for receiving aneck portion of each bottle. The upper bearing plate 32 is lowered ontothe top of the row of bottles and the bottle necks are received into thecavities. Five lower lift pushers 34 are arranged in a row below the rowof bottles. The lift pushers are raised to engage and lift each bottlesuch that the bottles are sandwiched between the upper plate 32 and thelower lift pushers 34. The bottles are positioned such that all closureends (threaded finish) are at a similar height for all bottle sizes. Thebearing plate 32 is raised and the pushers 34 follow the plate 32.Bottles are held firmly between the plate 32 and the pushers 34. Whenthe plate 32 reaches the top position, the pill cameras 10 take apicture of the bottle contents (pill image). The bottle contents arelighted by upper lights 31.

Each bottle 18 is preferably rotated to facilitate capture of the labelimage on the curved surface of the bottle. In the illustratedembodiment, each lift pusher 34 includes a rotate mechanisms forrotating the pusher, which in turn rotates the bottle. Various othermechanisms can also be used to rotate the bottle (e.g., an externalfriction drive). Encoders 36 in communication with each of the pluralityof label cameras monitor the rotation of each bottle and communicateinformation relating to the rotational speed to the label cameras sothat the label cameras take a series of images (approximately 1000) ofportions of each label as it rotates based upon rotational informationcommunicated by the encoder. The label image is then composed of theplurality of images taken by the line scan camera. Since the rotationalvelocity and acceleration profile of the bottle surface is variable,each encoder precisely defines a set rotational distance for the camera.This insures a quality image based on consistent spacing. The label scanimage is lighted by a set of lower lights 38. After the images have beencaptured, the upper plate 32 and lower pushers 34 are lowed together toplace the bottles back in the pallet. Indexing mechanism 35 moves thepallet 30 forward row by row so that the system can sequentially capturethe pill and label images of all rows of bottles on the pallet.

The images are preferably linked to the prescription record associatedwith the bottle using software stored on controller 24 that reads thebar code from the digitized label image. Alternatively, the system caninclude a plurality of bar code readers for reading the bar codes on thelabels of the row of bottles.

Pharmacists and/or customer service personnel can retrieve and view theimages and other data relating to the prescription via a local or remotework station 28 in communication with the host computer 26. FIG. 4 showsan example of a screen of a user interface for a quality controlapplication. The screen includes label data 42 retrieved from theprescription record. The label data 42 is the data input into theautomated prescription dispensing system for filling the prescription.The system also displays the label image 44 and pill image 46 capturedby the cameras of the imaging system. The prescription database can alsocontain a reference image 48 for the prescribed drug, which is displayedso that the pharmacist can ensure that it matches the pill image 46. Thesystem can also be programmed to retrieve and display drug data 50relating to the prescribed drug for reference by the pharmacist orcustomer services personnel. The user interface can also includefunction buttons 52 for use during the fulfillment process to allow areviewing pharmacist to accept or reject the prescription. Theprescription data is preferably stored in a database so that it can beaccessed both during the fulfillment process and afterwards (e.g., bycustomer service personnel to respond to customer inquiries).

Although the invention has been described with reference to a specificembodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scopeof the invention. For instance, the numerous details set forth hereinrelating to the embodiment for use in connection with a particularpalletized automatic prescription dispensing system are provided tofacilitate an understanding of the invention and are not provided tolimit the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the disclosure of theembodiment of the invention is intended to be illustrative of the scopeof the invention and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended thatthe scope of the invention will be limited only to the extent requiredby the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a first capture devicehaving a first orientation and positioned above a path to capture firstimage data of a prescription container at a particular position, thefirst image data including a prescription drug contained within theprescription container; a second capture device having a secondorientation and positioned adjacent to the path to capture, at leastsubstantially simultaneously with the first image data, second imagedata of the prescription container at the particular position, thesecond image data including a prescription drug identifier; and a liftpusher to lift the prescription container through the path into theparticular position, wherein the second capture device captures thesecond image data based on operational information associated with thelower lift pusher.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first capturedevice captures the first image data based on lift pusher data.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the operational information includesrotational information.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstimage data includes a two-dimensional image of a curved surface of theprescription container.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondimage data includes a bar code.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein thelift pusher includes a rotation mechanism to allow the second capturedevice to capture the second image data of the prescription container.7. The system of claim 1, wherein the lift pusher includes an encoder tomonitor the rotation of the prescription container.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the particular position is a predetermined position. 9.The system of claim 1, wherein the lift pusher lifts the prescriptioncontainer from a pallet into the particular position.
 10. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first capture device is affixed in a position abovethe path and the second capture device is affixed in a position adjacentto the path.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the second image dataincludes a prescription drug label, the prescription drug labelincluding the prescription drug identifier.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein the first capture device is a pill camera and the second capturedevice is a label camera.
 13. The system of claim 1, further comprising:a computing device to store the first image data and the second imagedata in a record associated with a prescription, the prescription beingfor prescription drug identified by the prescription drug identifier.14. A system comprising: a first capture device having a firstorientation and positioned above a path to capture first image data of aprescription container at a particular position, the first image dataincluding a prescription drug contained within the prescriptioncontainer; a second capture device having a second orientation andpositioned adjacent to the path to capture, at least substantiallysimultaneously with the first image data, second image data of theprescription container, the second image data including a prescriptiondrug identifier; and a lower lift pusher to lift the prescriptioncontainer through the path into the particular position, wherein thefirst capture device captures the first image data based on therotational information associated with the lower lift pusher.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, further comprising: a computing device to store thefirst image data and the second image data in a record associated with aprescription, the prescription being for prescription drug identified bythe prescription drug identifier.
 16. The system of claim 14, whereinthe second image data includes a prescription drug label, theprescription drug label including the prescription drug identifier. 17.The system of claim 14, wherein the first image data of the prescriptioncontainer includes a top view image of the prescription container at theparticular position and the second image data of the prescriptioncontainer includes a side view image of the prescription container.